Problems galore for Right to Recall Bill

The concept of right to recall non-performing members of Parliament and the legislatures have quite frequently been proposed only to be stymied or consigned to the backburner. And understandably so, since the introduction of such a legislation depends on endorsement by the elected representatives, who would then be made accountable for failing to honour commitments and falling below expectations of their constituents.

Obviously, from their point of view, supporting the enforcement of such a legislation or policy would mean political hara-kiri, which explains why such progressive precepts find no takers among our politicos.

Because, if right to recall becomes a law then a majority of elected representatives would be forced to head towards the exit door, midway through their tenure. Common experience provides a vivid and substantive narrative of the fact that MLAs and MPs are preoccupied with politicking or involved in misusing their position to reap benefits through nefarious means.

One is made to wonder if we have a mature electorate that can dare initiate proactive processes against elected representatives. Unfortunately, India’s electorate has more often than not been swayed more by caste, communal or other inane factors like individual charisma. Performance and calibre have never been the criteria for making choices as evidenced from the innumerable instances of inept MLAs and MPs getting elected repeatedly.

Voters have limited choices so to say. They get influenced by rhetoric rather than credentials or track-record of the contestants. Given the overwhelming propensity to iconise leaders, it is least bit surprising that many shady characters with criminal records keep occupying seats of power. In the circumstances, Right to recall that can hang like the Damocles Sword can be an effective weapon and serve as a game-changing deterrent if implemented in right earnest. Meanwhile, it also requires a transformation in the mindset of the people.

And, there are substantive indications that such a change is happening with people becoming more proactive and questioning their elected representatives about non-performance. The credit for such attitudinal changes should be – to a considerable extent - attributed to social media platforms and the ever evolving communication technologies. With transparency in functioning being brought into an accessible public domain, coupled with the fact that it enable frequent scrutiny of performance, elected representatives are being pulled out of their comfort zone of impunity.

Right to recall might have sounded utopian in the past with an impenetrable authority intolerant to any questions on its performance. But, today, viewed from the perspective of the enabling communication technologies and platforms, realization should dawn among elected representatives about the inevitability of such a law. It remains to be seen whether Varun Gandhi’s bill in Lok Sabha, would find many takers? The passage of the bill depends on whether elected representatives are prepared to subject themselves to the ultimate morality test.

By Satyapal Menon